'Year of the Child' aims to focus on effect of opioid crisis

West Virginia News

Mar 4, 2018

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Child welfare activists have launched a yearlong campaign to highlight the effect of West Virginia’s opioid crisis on the youth.
The Register-Herald reports that child advocacy leaders conferred Wednesday and kicked off the “Year of the Child,” a campaign to unite individuals working for the welfare of children.
West Virginians for Affordable Health Care Director of Child Health Kelli Caseman said she wants the group to have a platform of policy issues ready by the start of next year’s legislative session.
West Virginia Secretary of Education and the Arts Gayle Manchin said the state faces two primary issues: babies born to addicted mothers and children coming from homes with addiction. She hopes schools will focus on helping students with trauma, which she says is often misdiagnosed as ADHD.
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Information from: The Register-Herald, http://www.register-herald.com